FWC urges residents 'beware' as wayward bear roams Clay neighborhood

Teresa Stepzinski @teresastepz

Monday

May 20, 2019 at 4:09 PMMay 20, 2019 at 5:13 PM

FLEMING ISLAND | A Florida black bear scampering between homes in a Fleming Island neighborhood Monday morning gave residents something to talk about over their Fruit Loops as state wildlife biologists and Clay County sheriff''s deputies searched in vain for the wayward bruin.

No injuries, and no damage was reported as the young-looking bear passed through the wooded neighborhood between Hibernia Road and the St. Johns River — eluding capture — after a homeowner reported it about 8 a.m., said Deputy Christopher Padgett, a Clay County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

A mid-afternoon update was posted on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

"We bearly missed this beautiful creature — even after sitting out various picnic baskets and jars of honey. … That said, please give FWC a call should you locate one and they’ll be happy to assist." the Sheriff's Office posted.

Because authorities were uncertain where the bear might roam, R.M. Paterson Elementary School, roughly three miles north of where the bear was reported, was briefly on alert. A Clay County school district spokeswoman said normal school operations had resumed by afternoon.

"The bear is moving quite rapidly through the area, " said Karen Parker, a Fish and Wildlife Commission spokeswoman. "We're hoping that he continues to move rapidly and goes back to where he needs to be."

It's unknown whether the bear is male or female, or how old it might be, There have been no reports indicating that it might be ill or injured, she said.

"If people see it, they can contact us to help us track it via our Wildlife Alert number," she said.

The sighting coincided with the first day of Bear Awareness Week in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering tips about conflicts between bears and humans.

Biologists say Florida has more than 4,000 adult black bears statewide. In the 1970s, the estimated number of adult Florida black bears had fallen to only 300. Conservation measures since then have resulted in the bear's comeback. However, loss of habitat due to development remains an ongoing problem sometimes resulting in conflicts between people and bears.

Bear sightings are common this time of year in Florida.

"The younger males are dispersing, trying to establish their own territory so that is why we're seeing a lot of bear sightings. And they're coming out of their winter lethargy and its mating season so a a whole bunch of stuff is going on," Parker said.

Parker said basically spring and fall are busy times of the year for bear sightings.

"Because they are fattening up during the fall and then they are coming out of their lethargy and eating a lot and running around," Parker said.

So far this year, commission personnel have received a combined total of 18 bear-related calls in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns County. They included eight in Clay, five in Baker, four in St. Johns, one in Duval and none in Nassau. The statewide total was 1,276 data show.

In 2018, there were a total of 54 in Northeast Florida including 31 in Clay, eight in Duval, seven in St. Johns, six in Baker and two in Nassau County, where the statewide total was 5,483, according to the data.

Parker said 2017 boasted a high volume of bear calls. There were 104 in Northeast Florida including 59 in St. Johns, 30 in Duval, 29 in Clay and Four in Baker. The statewide total was 6,188, the data showed.

"There was not one specific reason for the high call volume in 2017, but there were a few sightings that generated multiple calls," Parker said.

Monday's Clay bear elicited sympathy and well wishes from the majority of numerous Fleming Island residents who commented on the Sheriff's Office Facebook post.

Fleming Island — along U.S. 17 between Orange Park and Green Cove Springs — is an unincorporated community featuring multiple upscale residential developments.

"The bear called, he wants his land back" one woman posted. Another woman said "When we clear all of their woodlands and habitat — this happens. A third woman was clearly rooting for the bear, "well, hope they don't kill it, and just scare it out of the area., probably looking for goodies to eat or just going through."

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075

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